Press Releases

In recognition of May being Mental Health Month, crisis hotline Caring Contact is sharing helpful information about mental illness, including signs and symptoms and screening advice.

"Mental health is so important for a happy and fulfilling life," said Joanne Oppelt, executive direction of Caring Contact. "Yet 43 million Americans, or nearly one in five, do not enjoy mental health because they suffer with some form of mental illness. And mental illness knows no boundaries. It impacts children, youth and adults of all ages and is not limited by socioeconomic status. Statistically, it's likely someone in your family, where you work or within your circle of friends experiences some form of mental illness."

The American Psychiatric Association list signs and symptoms of mental illness as including:

Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in others and activities.

An unusual drop in functioning, especially at school or work.

Problems with concentration, memory or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain.

A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings; a sense of unreality.

Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling.

Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or deterioration in personal hygiene.

Rapid or dramatic shifts in feelings, or mood swings.

Mental Health America recommends one of the easiest ways to determine if you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition is to take a mental health screening by visiting http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/mental-health-screening-tools.

Caring Contact has been listening to and helping people experiencing mental health issues since 1975.

"More than 200 volunteer listeners provide an empathetic ear to callers who are in mental or emotional crisis or are even having suicidal thoughts," Oppelt said. "Our callers take more than 15,000 calls each year, helping more than 6,000 people through difficult time."

While listeners come from all backgrounds and are of all ages, Oppelt noted that volunteering as a listener is particularly attractive for empty nesters and recent retirees who are looking for something rewarding to do with their newfound time.

"When children leave home for college or marriage, the Empty Nest Syndrome sets in for many people," she said. "For so long their focus was on their children and now they feel a hole. Likewise, so many people feel defined by their careers and when work ends they feel an emptiness.

"Experts say volunteering for a worthy cause both fills that emptiness while also bringing a sense of fulfillment for having helped others. Caring Contact listeners not only help others, they often save lives."

Jane Berlant began volunteering at Caring Contact because she was looking for something meaningful to do with her time after her daughter went to college.

"It had to make an impact," she said. "I can't just play golf and tennis and go to lunch. It has given me such a sense of purpose and accomplishment, a sense of self. It has also changed my life in ways of dealing with people for the better, how I deal with my family, my daughters, how I listen to them. Instead of always wanting to fix things, I now just listen."

Caring Contact will be offering its next round of training for volunteer listeners beginning September 12. The training program meets once weekly for 13 weeks, including one two-day weekend session. Program participants are trained in Excellence in Listening, including mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and develop the ability to listen actively, assess the needs of someone in crisis and provide empathy and support.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer listener and/or wanting to register for the training should visit http://caringcontact.org/volunteer-listener-application/.

Caring Contact is an award-winning, volunteer-staffed caring and crisis hotline and listening community, providing active listening support and best-in-class training to the Central and Northern New Jersey community.

Caring Contact serves Central and Northern New Jersey and is a primary responder to calls to the national suicide prevention line (1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE) that originate in New Jersey. Callers also reach Caring Contact by dialing 908-232-2880. Those preferring to seek supporting through texting may text “heart” to 741-741. The hotline also provides best-in-class training to the Central and Northern New Jersey Community.

About Caring Contact

Caring Contact is an award-winning, volunteer-staffed caring and crisis hotline providing active listening support and best-in-class education to the Central and Northern New Jersey community. We attentively and compassionately serve those in emotional distress and educate our communities about the power of personal connection. We are affiliated with CONTACT USA, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the American Association of Suicidology. If you are in crisis and need someone to listen, call us at 908-232-2880. To learn more, visit www.caringcontact.org.

WESTFIELD, NJ – An 8.3-acre park on the town’s border with Garwood is home to a regulation size ice hockey rink, at least for the next three months.

Several hundred people gathered for the formal opening of the Westfield Rink on Sunday, a temporary ice rink housed in a tent at Gumbert Park. The rink started hosting hockey practices earlier in the week and held its ...

Updated: 5:53 p.m. Nov. 11

WESTFIELD, NJ – An 8.3-acre park on the town’s border with Garwood is ...

METUCHEN, NJ - Know a student that soars through math challenges without hesitation? Have a Math whiz in the family? It's time to get them to sign up for the Saint Joseph High School Annual Mathematics Competition.

The event is open to any New Jersey students in grades seven or eight. The 45-minute exam consists of 16 questions including algebra, geometry and other elementary topics of ...

METUCHEN, NJ - Know a student that soars through math challenges without hesitation? Have a Math ...

A well-known food company recalled two brand-name food products after four customers reported finding metal parts in their food. One of the world’s best-selling auto brands faced an airbag recall. And lettuce grown in Arizona caused dozens of illnesses in 35 states.

Product recalls like these are often in the news. They’re especially prominent when the federal government mandates that a ...

A well-known food company recalled two brand-name food products after four customers reported ...

The Presbyterian Women’s group cordially invites members of the community to join us for our November gathering on Thursday, November 15 at noon in the Parish House Lounge of the Presbyterian Church in Westfield, 140 Mountain Ave.

Our speaker will be Sustainable Haus owner, Janette Spiezio, who will be talking about sustainability, zero waste, and how and why to reduce plastics in our lives, ...

The Presbyterian Women’s group cordially invites members of the community to join us for our ...

During the months of November and December, The Wednesday Morning String Chamber Ensemble will entertain residents at several senior and health care centers, three of which are located in Cranford. Directed by Janet Lyman, the group will perform on November 14 at Atria Senior Living on Jackson Drive, on December 5 at the Cerebral Palsy League on Myrtle Street and on December 12 at the Cranford ...

During the months of November and December, The Wednesday Morning String Chamber Ensemble will ...

UNION, NJ - Kean Stage is ringing in the holiday season on December 9 with Snowkus Pocus, a dazzling cirque-tacular show that’s fun for the entire family! Snowkus Pocus tells the story of a young girl who is whisked away to an enchanted winter wonderland where she encounters the colorful characters that inhabit this magical world. The tale is told through skillful cirque, breathtaking ballet and ...

UNION, NJ - Kean Stage is ringing in the holiday season on December 9 with Snowkus Pocus, a ...

EDISON, NJ -- On Sunday, Nov. 4, students, faculty, parents and friends from The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison joined to help support Interfaith RISE's annual walk-a-thon. Upper School students helped direct participants, worked the registration table, and held signs during the walk.

Families and students who attended heard from several speakers along the walk, and had the opportunity ...

The Red Ribbon Team comprised of juniors who attended the Young Women’s Conference last May led many of the activities in all three divisions. After the Young Women’s Conference, W+H was given a $500 grant from ...

Two River Community Bank has announced the addition of Jeff Halverstadt as Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer serving the central and northern New Jersey area. Mr. Halverstadt brings more than 30 years of commercial banking experience to Two River Community Bank.

Prior to joining Two River Community Bank, Mr. Halverstadt most recently served as Vice President, Commercial Lending and ...

Two River Community Bank has announced the addition of Jeff Halverstadt as Vice President and ...